St. Petersburg Collegiate High School North Pinellas senior, Jason Poulos, was selected to participate in the highly anticipated cross dive at Tarpon Springs’ 119th Epiphany celebration.
This annual event, held on January 6th, commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River 2,000 years ago. A key moment is the blessing of the waters of Spring Bayou, followed by the casting of a cross into the water. The competition is fierce, with dozens of young men between the ages of 16 and 18 vying for the honor of retrieving the cross. It is believed that the person who finds the cross will have a year of favor and prosperity.
This year, 66 divers, including Jason, a certified lifeguard, participated in the event. While he did not successfully retrieve the cross, Jason expressed feeling “blessed” to have been part of this significant cultural and religious tradition.
St. Petersburg Collegiate High School, along with Jason’s parents, John and Barbara Poulos, are incredibly proud of his participation in this memorable event.